Three Women of Herat A Memoir of Life, Love and Friendship in Afghanistan

by Doubleday, Veronica

• ISBN13: 9781845110260
• ISBN10: 1845110269
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-25
• Publisher: Atlas Books
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Summary

In the years before the communist coup and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Veronica Doubleday set up home in the ancient city of Herat with her husband, who was researching Central Asian music. At first, her only glimpses of women were as shadows--faceless and voiceless. Gradually, however, she formed friendships with three young mothers who welcomed her into their lives, taught her their customs and music and shared the details of their everyday existence. She witnessed their most personal moments: the births and deaths of their children, their marriages and celebrations, religious holidays, healings, and rituals. After the Soviet invasion in 1979, she lost touch with her friends, but returned to Herat recently, adding another chapter to this poignant story.

Table of Contents

Author’s Note * Behind the Curtain * Preface * Part One: Mariam * First Meeting * Strangers on the Throne * Bitter and Sweet * The Married Daughters * Ritual Food * Women Who Miscarried * New Year * The Family Network * Making a Marriage Proposal * Becoming Beautiful * A Night in the House of Latif Khan * Saying Goodbye * Part Two: Mothr of Nebi * Lonely Woman * Possessed by Spirits * Villagers * The Betrothal * The House of the Healer * The Lost Children * A New Baby * The Evil Eye * Leave-taking * Part Three: Shirin * Becoming a Pupil * The Rival Bands * A Woman of the World * Learning Music * Professional Life * A Member of the Band * Ramadan * A Musical Legacy * Epilogue * Postscript * Index